New Speed Record by Triumph Salt Racer

The Triumph Salt Racer project has beaten the world record in its class, with a best pass of 156.219mp/h (251.41km/h) across the mile in Lake Gairdner, South Australia.

In its second visit to the famed lake 450 kilometers north of Adelaide, the Triumph Salt Racer won the 1000cc normally aspirated twin-cylinder unstreamlined category with a heavily modified Triumph Thruxton engine shoehorned into a custom-made chassis.

The motorcycle’s speedy achievement surpassed the previous record set by British motorcycle journalist Sir Alan Cathcart in 2009 at the Bonneville Speed Trials in Utah, USA, also on a Triumph Thruxton. Cathcart’s best pass was a 152.678mp/h (245.711km/h) effort.But the feat cannot be certified by the FIM as an official world record as the global sanctioning body for motorcycle competition has only identified two events this year – both in Utah in August and September – where new marks can be set. Expect to see the Triumph Salt Racer heading to the USA soon.

Last year, the Triumph Salt Racer was also on track for a speed well past 150mp/h at Lake Gairdner before a mechanical failure.